Rare Police/MP transitional uniform.

**Redcap** · 04-07-2012, 10:14 AM

Here is a rare circa 1939 shot of some of the very first members of the Feldgendarmerie wearing modified police uniform, with the addition of the Heer breast eagle and the use of the "Feld-Gendarmerie" armband. Police collar tabs have been retained but Heer Litzen added to the collar and around the shoulder straps.

**Espenlaub Militaria** · 04-07-2012 10:14 AM

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**Adrian Stevenson** · 04-07-2012, 10:31 AM

That is a superb image. Thanks for sharing it.

Cheers, Ade.

**Redcap** · 04-07-2012, 02:28 PM

by Adrian Stevenson

That is a superb image. Thanks for sharing it.

Cheers, Ade.

Glad you like it. These very early shots are hard to find. I believe most of the shots you see with this uniform style are actually pre-war before the "real" Feldgendarmerie was brought into existence and for major troop movements ( i.e. the Anschluss etc) civil police were drafted in as temporary Feldgendarmen.

Later, during the Polish campaign, you sometimes see them wearing two armbands, the Feld-Gendarmerie and the "Deutsche Wehrmacht" together.

**Redcap** · 04-07-2012, 02:34 PM

And here is evidence that some of these former members of the civil Police who were transferred into the military were very proud of their Police origins.

This SNCO is wearing the standard Heer visor cap, but also a converted Police tunic with full Army insignia (inlcuidng a rare example of the hand embroidered cuffband) and carrying his Police sword.

The interesting thing about him wearing this Police/Army hybrid uniform is that it is not during the transitional period circa 1939,. His medal ribbons are for the KVK2 and the East Front medal so this shot was taken no earlier than mid-1942 !

**spandau** · 04-10-2012, 10:51 PM

Hi

The photos and insight on their content that you have posted are superb.

Thanks for sharing.

cheers

tony

**martinsuper** · 04-18-2012, 02:02 PM

100% correct and 100% awesome photos! We all know that Hitler wanted to make the police force as large as possible pre-war so that he could do this VERY THING! A very rare time in the Police and Army and these photos are great! I agree that it was probably a badge of honor for these guys, but how long do you think it was allowed?

-Martin